“Forward ever, backward never: onwards with Breaking Through”

20/03/2015


1)Holiday on 14th April 2015 on account of Birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 19th March, 2015.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Declaration of Holiday on 14th April, 2015- Birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
It has been decided to declare Tuesday, the 14th April 2015, as a Closed Holiday on account of the birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, for all Central Government Offices including Industrial Establishments throughout India.
2. The above holiday is also being notified in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (26 of 1881).
3. All Ministries/ Departments of Government of India may bring the above decision to the notice of all concerned.
Sd/-
(Mrs.K.Kipgen)
Director(JCA)

2)Driving License Charge can be reimbursed for Dispatch rider and MTS

No.35011/1/2014-Estt.(D)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 19th March, 2015
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Reimbursement of expenditure on account of acquiring driving license for Motor cars to Dispatch Rider / MTS.
The undersigned is directed to say that a revised Model Recruitment Rules (RRs) for the post of staff car driver has been issued vide this Department OM No. AB- 14017/10/2014-Estt (RR) dated 4.7.2014. Accordingly Ministries / Departments have been advised to review the existing rules to bring them in conformity with the model RRs. It may
be observed from column 10 of the model RRs that the method of recruitment prescribed for filling up the post of staff car driver (ordinary grade) is “Deputation/absorption failing which by direct recruitment”. With regard to Deputation / Absorption following criteria has been prescribed:-
“From amongst the regular Dispatch Rider (Group C) and Group C employees in Pay Band I Rs. 5200-20200 Grade pay Rs. 1800 in the same Ministry / Department who possess valid Driving License for Motor Cars on the basis of a Driving Test to assess the competence to drive Motor Cars failing which from officials holding the post of Dispatch Rider on regular basis or regular Group C employees in Pay Band 1 Rs. 5200-20200 Grade Pay Rs. 1800 in other Ministries / Department of the Central Government who fulfil the necessary qualifications as mentioned in column 7/’
2. To encourage filling up of the post of Staff Car Driver through the method of Deputation/Absorption of Despatch Rider and Group ‘C’ employees in Pay Band I with Grade Pay of Rs.1800/-, it has been decided to reimburse the expenditure incurred on account of acquiring Driving Licence for Motor Cars to Despatch Riders (DR)/MTS subject to the condition that reimbursement is allowed to only such DRs/MTS who otherwise fulfil the
criteria laid down in the RRs for appointment as Staff Car Drivers.
3. This issues with the concurrence of Department of Expenditure vide their OM FTS No. 16056/E.Coord-2015 dated 13th February, 2015.
(S. Prasad)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
3)Biometric Attendance – No proposal to introduce an alternative system


Biometric Attendance

The Central Government employees are marking their attendance in the Aadhar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS). There is a difference between the number of registered employees and number of employees marking their attendance. The Department of Personnel & Training has issued fresh instructions to all Ministries/ Departments on 28.01.2015 that necessary directions may be issued to all employees to mark their attendance in the Biometric Attendance Portal on regular basis.


Biometric attendance system is an enabling platform for marking of attendance. There is no change in the instructions relating to office hours, late attendance etc. There is no proposal to introduce an alternative system.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in Prime Minister’s office Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question by Shri Dushyant Chautala in the Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB News

4)Fine for harassment of women at workplace

The Supreme Court of India laid down formal guidelines for dealing with sexual harassment at the workplace in the case of Vishakha Vs. State of Rajasthan. The guidelines clearly state that all workplaces should constitute a Complaint Committee to deal with complaints of sexual harassment. Taking forward the Supreme Court guidelines, “Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013” was enacted which came into force with effect from 9th December 2013.
The Act casts a responsibility on every employer to create an environment which is free from sexual harassment. Employers are required to organize workshops and awareness programmes at regular intervals for sensitizing the employees about the provision of this legislation and display notices regarding the constitution of Internal Committee, penal consequences of sexual harassment etc. An employer will be liable to a fine of Rs 50,000/- in case of violation of his duties under the Act and in case of subsequent violations, the amount of fine will be double together with penalty in the form of cancelation of his licence, withdrawal or non-renewal of the registration required for carrying out his activity.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development had issued advisories to States/UTs to ensure effective implementation of the Act. The Ministries/Departments in Government of India have also been advised to ensure the compliance of the Act.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi a in written reply to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha today.

5)NFIR Objects the Views of Committee on evolving New formula for PLB


NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110 055
Affiliated to :
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)
No. I/10 Part-IV
Dated: 12/03/2015
The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi.
Dear Sir,
Sub: Committee for evolving a new formula for Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) on Indian Railways – reg.
Ref:
(i) Railway Board’s letter No. ERC-1/2014/23/15 dated 21/03/2014.
(ii) NFIR’s letter No. I/10/Pt. IV dated 09/04/2014.
(iii) Railway Board’s letter No. E(P&A)II-2013/PLB-8 dated 11/02/2015 and 03/03/2015.
         At the outset, NFIR invites kind attention of the Railway Board to Federation’s letter dated 09/04/2014 wherein Federation had conveyed its disagreement to the Railway Board’s decision for disturbing the bipartite agreement and proceeding with formation of a Committee of AMs for evolving new formula for calculation of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) in Railways.
2. NFIR also takes strong objection to the views of the AMs Committee who feel that the Scheme for PL Bonus for Railway employees was introduced in consultation with the two Federations. In this connection, NFIR desires to clarify that the bipartite agreement for payment of PL Bonus to Railway employees was signed jointly by the Railway Board and Federations on 22nd November 1979. Federations further desires to state that the agreement can only be modified with mutual consent of the stake holders.
3. From the above it could be seen that the PL Bonus agreement was reached in the year 1979 for providing substantial motivation to the workforce for achieving higher production by way of enhancing their output and improved quality of service. Over the years the freight loading has been improved as a result of dedicated efforts of workforce.
4. It is further stated that since the last two years, the Railway Board has been attempting to reduce the number of days of wages towards payment of PL Bonus in the name of Capital Input. There were strong protest and the Federations did not agree for any reduction of 78 days wages. The Railway Ministry had accordingly paid PL Bonus to Railway employees equivalent of 78 days wages with notional calculation of salary @ Rs. 3500 p.m. during two previous years. A bench mark “78 days wages” needs to be adopted in any case when a formula is required to be finalized in consultation with us. Equally the salary calculation ceiling should be removed as the payment of bonus for Railway employees is linked to the productivity as enunciated in the agreement dated 22 November 1979.
NFIR hopes that the Railway Board would give serious consideration to the above points and take steps towards reaching an agreement with the Federations in the interest of preserving healthy industrial relations in the Railways.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary
source-NFIR